The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes Pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Thaddeus J. Koszarek, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Regimental Chaplain, 399th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division, in action near Raon L’Etape, France, on 13 November 1944. When a litter team returned from a second unsuccessful attempt to locate casualties in a forward area, Captain Koszarek, asleep in a nearby tent, was awakened by the conversation. Acting on his own volition, he immediately dressed and set out to locate the wounded men. Taking but one man with him and making his way through the darkness and steadily falling snow, he followed a wire line over the mountainous and often nearly impassable terrain until he reached a forward command post. Here he learned the approximate location of the casualties, then continued on his way until eventually he found the wounded men. Administering what aid he could to them, then then retraced his steps through the pitch black night, returned to the command post and sent for a litter party. When the party arrived, he guided it to the casualties and assisted in the work of evacuation. By his ready assumption of responsibility and his untiring efforts in a hazardous undertaking, Chaplain Koszarek contributed greatly to the saving of life among the wounded. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Koszarek, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.